christianity

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Monday Morning Meditation 1-26-26

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:25-29

As may of you, my morning (and most of yesterday) was filled with snow blowing and shoveling.  I am exhausted and quite done with this winter (although it may not be done with us).  As I sat down at my desk and thought about this meditation, the parable of the Good Samaritan came to mind.  Who is my neighbor?

We are blessed that we purchased a snow blower from a neighbor who moved away, and I am able to clean our drive and walk efficiently.  I normally do our neighbors, and sometimes others if they are in need.  Today was the same.  I do not write this to pat myself on the back, and truthfully this parable was in the back of my head. 

The snow seems to bring out the best in us as neighbors gather together and talk and help each other with the snow removal.

Jesus answers the question “Who is my neighbor?” with one of the greatest parables, reminding us that our neighbors include everyone – even people we may not associate with – and we are to do what ever we can to help.

As you travel through this week, be on the lookout for your neighbors.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

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Monday Morning Meditation 5-20-24

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  John 20:19-22

Yesterday was the celebration of Pentecost, that day in which the Holy Spirit is poured out to all who will receive.  Churches across the world were decked out in red paraments, pastors wore their red stoles, and the topic of the sermons were the Holy Spirt.

Now it is Monday, the color in the sanctuary goes back to White and we can put the Holy Spirit back into the box for next year…NOT.

Notice in John’s Gospel, Jesus gives the disciples the Spirit long before Pentecost, and He does so by breathing on them, just as the Father breathed the breath of life into Adam.  He also said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

On Pentecost we pray “Come, Spirit, Come”.  Today I call you to receive the Holy Spirit.  Daily we should pray for the Spirit and then we must receive the Spirit.  It’s like a football game.  A receiver cannot keep asking for the ball to be thrown his way, and not catch it.  The Holy Spirit will come on our request – we must then receive the Spirit.

As you travel through this week, pray for the Spirit and be ready to catch!

Peace,

Pastor Bill